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Nationals Win Series At San Francisco, Head To St. Louis

By: David Driver,June 12, 2014

Series recap: Nationals at Giants

Series dates: June 9-12

Series location: San Francisco

Results: The Nationals won, 9-2, June 9; won, 2-1, June 10; won, 6-2, June 11; and lost, 7-1, June 12

Did you know?: Washington manager Matt Williams is a former third baseman for the Giants. … Nationals infielder/outfielder Kevin Frandsen began his pro career in the Giants' system. … The Nationals traded current San Francisco outfielder Michael Morse to Seattle before the 2013 season. … Giants bullpen coach Bill Hayes and roving minor league catching coordinator Kirt Manwaring both caught for the Harrisonburg (Va.) Turks of the Shenandoah Valley League while in college. Hayes played at Indiana State, and Manwaring went to Coastal Carolina. … Brett Bochy, the son of Giants manager Bruce Bochy, pitched for Richmond in the Double-A Eastern League in 2012 and is now with Triple-A Fresno in the Giants' system. The elder Bochy spent part of his youth in northern Virginia.

Nationals' Record: 35-30 (first place)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY WASHINGTON PLAYERS: Shortstop Ian Desmond had six hits during the four-game series in 17 at bats as the Nats won three of four games.

Tanner Roark got the win June 11 as the Washington starters continue to impress on the current road trip, which has vaulted the Nationals into first place.

Adam LaRoche had a key bases-loaded, two-run single in the first inning June 11. Jayson Werth had a home run in the fifth, and Ryan Zimmerman had an RBI in the first, then made a run-saving catch in left field later during the game.

Desmond had a career-high five RBIs, with a single, double and triple, during the June 9 win. His bases-loaded single drove in two runs to give Washington a 4-1 lead.

Right fielder Werth had an RBI double in the first and an RBI single in the seventh to make it 5-1 June 9.

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR THE NATIONALS: The starting pitching for the Nationals for the last two weeks has been impressive, even though Blake Treinen could not match his colleagues during his start June 12 against the Giants. He was tagged with the loss.

Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless inning for a hold June 10, and Rafael Soriano got the save even though he gave up a run in the ninth.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon returned to the lineup June 10 after he injured his thumb on a fielding play during the previous series, at San Diego.

Stephen Strasburg allowed one run in six innings during the victory June 9.

Catcher Wilson Ramos, who nearly hit a homer early during the game, had a two-run double in the seventh June 9 to push the lead to 7-1. He also threw out a runner at third during that game.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE NATIONALS: The injury to Rendon meant Washington had a short bench for part of the series. After going a few weeks without an injury, catcher Ramos went on the disabled list before the game June 11.

THE M*A*S*H WATCH: Washington ended the series against the Giants with left fielder Bryce Harper (left thumb sprain), left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez (left shoulder inflammation) and catcher Ramos (hamstring) on the disabled list.

ROSTER MOVES: The Nationals called up catcher Sandy Leon from Triple-A Syracuse to take the place of Ramos before the game June 11.

WHAT WE LEARNED: The Nationals are beginning to pitch and hit like the team that many people predicted could contend for a World Series berth. Here is a thought that might have seemed impossible a month ago: Williams as a Manager of the Year candidate if Washington continues to excel.

WHAT IS NEXT: The Nationals will begin a three-game series June 13 at St. Louis against the Cardinals, who eliminated the Nationals during the 2012 playoffs. Right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann will pitch for the Nationals, and he is coming off the best start in Washington history, as he fanned 12 batters with no walks and gave up two hits during a win at San Diego. Zimmermann (5-2, 3.17 ERA), the National League pitcher of the week, will be opposed by right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn (6-4, 3.49).